Norfolk County's drunk driving risks

March 10, 2017
By
Law Offices of James F. White, P.C.

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Drunk driving is a serious problem in Massachusetts with Norfolk County
having a high rate of deaths in such accidents.

People in Norfolk County know the challenges of sharing the roads with
a variety of vehicles, pedestrians and more. When some individuals choose
not to obey the laws or act negligently, many innocent victims can be
put in harm's way. A
car wreck caused by a drunk driver, for example, can leave not only those in other
vehicles suffering but extended family members and friends as well.

How serious is drunk driving in Massachusetts?

Every person's life is valuable. Therefore, even a single wrongful
death caused by a person driving
under the influence of alcohol is one too many. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
in 2013 there were 118 fatalities attributed to drunk driving crashes
in Massachusetts. That number is out of a total number of 326 vehicular
fatalities resulting from all factors.

In Norfolk County, 25 people died in motor vehicle accidents and 11 of
those were drunk driving crashes. Neighboring counties lost similar numbers
of people to drunk drivers:

In Plymouth County, 17 people died in drunk driving accidents.

In Bristol and Worcester Counties each, 16 people died in drunk driving
accidents.

In Middlesex County, 12 people died in drunk driving accidents.

In Suffolk County, nine people died in drunk driving accidents.

Nantucket County was the only county in the state that experienced no drunk
driving fatalities at all that year.

News stories offer details

Many a media story gives details about drunk driving incidents around Massachusetts.
A WHDH.com article recounted the arrest of a driver in Marlborough. The
arrest was the man's fifth for drunk driving. In this latest situation,
the man was also found to have a minor in the vehicle at the time of his arrest.

According to a Patch.com report four people were sent to the hospital for
treatment after being hit in their vehicle by a drunk driver. Two of the
injury victims were children. The at-fault driver was said to have crossed
the yellow line onto oncoming traffic before striking the other vehicle.

A bus driver with MBTA was arrested for suspected drunk driving. The WCVB.com
report indicated there is some discrepancy as to whether the woman was
on her way to work or on her way home from work at the time of her arrest.

Rights of victims

People who are involved in accidents caused by drunk drivers deserve compensation.
Contacting a lawyer at these times is the best course of action.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.